March 9, 2012 - PRLog -- My Possibilities, a non-profit center dedicated to empowering disabled adults, marks a milestone in the center’s growth with the opening of the HIPstore. This retail store is a new enterprise model designed to showcase the handiwork of the center’s special needs adults known as HIPsters (Hugely Important People). The official Plano Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, March 13th at 10 a.m. at the new HIPstore in Pittman Corners Shopping Center, located at 1301 Custer Road, Suite 520 in Plano.

Starting with six HIPsters in June of 2008, My Possibilities has witnessed exponential growth in the center’s innovative program created by concerned mothers of special needs children who had aged out of the public school system in North Texas. Today, the center supports more than 125 adults with disabilities through continued education programs that help them realize their greatest potential, while teaching them essential skills that enable them to enjoy meaningful lives and become productive members of our local community.

“We believe in making every day count,” said Charmaine Solomon, founder of My Possibilities and chairman of its board of directors. The increasing demand for vocational, socialization, independent living and job training for adults with disabilities necessitated the move to open the new My Possibilities HIPstore, where adults with special needs are hand crafting candles, jewelry, original artwork and other gift items for sale to the public.

“The purpose of the HIPstore is to focus on the creativity and ability of our adults with cognitive impairments, as opposed to their disability. The store proudly displays all the wonderful products that are HIPster-handmade every day,” Solomon noted.

When My Possibilities opened in 2008, the center operated in a 10,000 square-foot building with three mothers working as volunteers. Today, the facility has expanded into an additional 3,000 square-foot enterprise facility allowing the center to serve 125 families per week, with an educated and professional staff of 10 full-time employees.

“The community has been extraordinarily supportive of My Possibilities, as evidenced by our rapid growth over the past three years. During this time, we’ve introduced a number of new programs and services as we’ve helped an increasing number of adults who have joined the center,” added Michael Thomas, executive director for My Possibilities.

Dignitaries Plano Mayor Phil Dyer and long time friend of My Possibilities U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson who represents the third district of Texas have been invited to attend the grand opening celebration of the HIPstore. In addition, members of The Plano Chamber of Commerce, our community partners, the My Possibilities board of directors, management team and staff will be on hand for the event.

The HIPstore is stocked with products that are handmade exclusively by the HIPsters. “My Possibilities staff work closely with each HIPster in the production of the gift items and in-store operations where they directly participate by stocking its shelves, monitoring its inventory and even running the cash register,” said Kelly J. Kubasta, co-founding senior partner of Klemchuk Kubasta LLP (KK LLP), a leading full-service intellectual property (IP) law firm, and a director on the My Possibilities board.

“We welcome the public to our ribbon cutting ceremony, and invite them to browse through the HIPstore, while visiting our newly expanded center,” said Solomon.

To learn more about My Possibilities, contact Charmaine Solomon by phone at (469) 631-1372 or by email at lalchar@aol.com or contact Michael Thomas by phone at (469) 241-9100 or by email at director@mptx.org. More information is also available on the website at www.mypossibilities.org and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hipstore-My-Possibilities/3...

About My Possibilities:My Possibilities is a Plano, Texas-based non-profit, charity - 501(c)(3), for adults with disabilities (Autism, Down Syndrome, Aspergers, Prader-Willi, Head Injuries, etc.). Started in June 2008, this organization is the FIRST full day, full year program in Collin County for Texans, who have "aged out" of secondary education. My Possibilities helps special needs adults build independence and vocational skills in a safe and nurturing environment. To learn more, please go to www.mypossibilities.org.

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